Iranian-backed groups head to Syria via Iraq to support Syrian army in repelling rebels as fierce battles continues in the outskirts of Hama city

Groups supported by Iran are heading to support the Syrian Army forces via Iraq.

According to local sources, on Wednesday, Iranian-backed groups have continued to travel to support army forces in Syria via Iraq for three days.

The support groups enter Syria from the Albukamal area on the Syrian-Iraqi border, at a rate of about 50 vehicles per day, and head to the battle fronts in Hama.

The upcoming groups include the Zainabiyoun and Fatemiyoun Brigades, in addition to elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Some of the convoys include vehicles equipped with 23mm anti-aircraft guns and rocket launchers.

The number of fighters in the support units isn’t less than 400 fighters.

It’s noteworthy that the opposition factions captured some Iranian fighters and those supported by Tehran during the recent clashes in Aleppo.

On November 27, clashes erupted between armed opposition factions and Syrian army forces in the western Aleppo countryside.

The rebels advanced quickly towards the city of Aleppo, and entered it on Friday afternoon, and took control of most of its neighborhoods.

They also extended their control over the entire Idlib province on Saturday, after taking control of many sites in its countryside, and they reached the outskirts of the city of Hama.

The Fatemiyoun and Zainabiyoun Brigades stand out among the Iranian-backed groups that operate alongside the Syrian army.

The Iranian military formed the Fatemiyoun Brigade, made up entirely of Afghan Shiites, to support Syria since 2011.

The members of the Zainabiyoun Brigade are made up of Pakistani Shiites who left the country for sectarian or political reasons and went to Iran, where they received religious education in cities such as Qom and Mashhad.

Iranian-backed groups have a heavy presence in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria and on the border with Iraq.

The groups concerned are directed by field commanders in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

On Wednesday, the rebels took control of 20 new villages in Hama Governorate in central Syria, following clashes with Syrian army forces.

The rebels, led by Hay’at Tahrir al Sham, and Turkish backed, Syrian National army, have continued to advance towards the Syrian government control areas since November 27, reaching the outskirts of Hama city.

Meanwhile, rebels are about 5 kilometers away from the center of Hama city.

The rebels also took control of the Armored Vehicles School, one of the most important bases of the Syrian army forces near the city of Hama, Rahba and Khattab warehouses, the Suruj military base, and the 25th Division.

The opposition factions continue to advance towards the city of Hama from the north, east and west.